Feb 22, 2008

Rollin wins stage; Leipheimer still leads

ASSOCIATED PRESS

SAN LUIS OBISPO - Dominique Rollin of Canada won the nearly seven-hour fourth stage and Levi Leipheimer of Santa Rosa retained his race lead Thursday in the Amgen Tour of California.

Rollin, 25, the 2006 Canadian road race national titlist, emerged from a lead group of seven riders with about 12.5 miles left and pedaled to a solo win in 6 hours, 56 minutes and 8 seconds in the 135-mile road race from Seaside.

"With about 25 miles left, I looked around, and I knew I was one of the strongest guys," said Rollin, who began the stage in 62nd place overall, trailing by nearly 25 minutes. "With about six miles left, I had a 40-second lead. I couldn't help it, I had a smile on my face."

Leipheimer, the defending race titlist who assumed a 13-second race lead Wednesday, finished 16th in the main field, 2 minutes and 28 seconds behind the winner.

Leipheimer maintained the same margin over Fabian Cancellara (CSC) of Switzerland, the prologue winner and first of three race leaders.

Riding often in steady rain and crosswinds gusting more than 30 mph, Rollin persevered on a stage that ravaged the field. Combined with a six-mile ceremonial, non-timed parade start in Seaside, the riders pedaled for nearly 7 1/2 hours longer than many mountain stages of the Tour de France.

"In these kind of conditions, you have to think that everyone feels the same," said Leipheimer. "What can you ask for after seven hours in freezing cold rain? But I did my best to take care of myself and I'll do my best tomorrow."

The weather conditions also prompted a slow pace. The winner averaged only 19.5 mph. The same stage last year, ridden with a tailwind and mostly sunny conditions, took about two hours less to complete.

George Hincapie (High Road) of Greenville, S.C., finished second in the stage and Iker Camano (Saunier-Duval) of Spain was third, both crossing the finish line 18 seconds behind Rollin.

The extreme conditions, the length of the stage and a stomach virus spreading through race teams further decimated the field.

Fifteen riders didn't start or abandoned the race during the stage. Eleven riders departed the race Wednesday for the same reasons.

The remaining 105 riders from the starting field of 132 last Sunday will compete in the 15-mile individual time trial fifth stage on Friday in Solvang.

The eight-day, 650-race continues through Sunday.